Women’s sport in Wales is on the precipice of the biggest weekend in its history.
Both the women’s national football and rugby teams are looking to ride the wave of support in a blockbuster month to confirm a seismic shift in interest, activism and commercial appeal.
On Friday night, Wales host France at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli, with the prospect of taking a huge step forward towards qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
A record crowd for a women’s game in Wales looks inevitable with almost 5,000 tickets already sold.
On Saturday, it’s the rugby team’s turn in the spotlight. They face England at Kingsholm in Gloucester, where a win would give them the Six Nations Triple Crown.
Over 14,000 tickets have already been sold and the game is live on BBC TV – proof, if it were needed, that women’s sport is now creating its own commercial revenues from broadcasting and sponsorship.
The old arguments claimed by some – that top level women’s sport was not financially viable, or couldn’t offer professional careers – are being demolished by ever increasing interest.
Most of the Wales football team – stars like Jess Fishlock and Sophie Ingle - have been playing professional football for the last few years, in the Women’s Super League as well as around the world.
Recently, the Welsh Rugby Union gave its first 12 professional contracts to the women’s team in January.
Since this historic move, women’s rugby has been on the up with wins against Ireland and Scotland in the Six Nations proving what the team can do with appropriate funding.
Both teams are now playing in the full spotlight with interest across the Welsh public and will be hoping to put on a show against two of the best teams in the world in their respective sports.
Women’s sport is growing in Wales with both teams now regularly breaking attendance records.
Gemma Grainger’s football team are hoping to qualify for their first World Cup, but it will be a difficult task ahead for them to top their group.
They are five points behind group leaders France but a point on Friday night would put them three points ahead of Slovenia in second place, making them well placed for a play-off sport for the World Cup.
